Trofeo Series History

Alfa Suds, when first introduced in 1972, were always going to be used in motor sport competition. Standard in the Ti version was a wheel at each corner, outstanding handling and a quick revving 1186cc engine that made the right noises, a close ratio five-speed box and 4 wheel disc brakes.

It was not long before Andy Drummond purchased a 1498cc version, played a little with the suspension and was out on the race track hounding and beating much bigger cars. Many other Alfa Sud owners became interested in racing and after much talking a meeting was held at Bart Von Geldern's home, the first AGM was held 24/7/1990. The minutes note early involvement of Bart Von Geldern, Rob Dunlop, Mark Rantin, Mike Williams, Brian Todd, Bruce Harrison, Dave Newsham, Phil Soraghan, Jeff Kernahan, Chris Nicol, Eric Swinburne, Kevin Armstrong, Mike Apthorp, & Peter Healey.

Much of the original work was done by Bart but it was always going to be Andy's baby, although there was a little adverse reaction from some members of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club who were rear wheel drive orientated and did not consider Suds true Alfas. The series was to be for Suds and Sprints only and you had to be a member of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club. The races would be contested at Pukekohe, Taupo and Manfeild with a hill climb and grass gymkhana to finish the series Calender. The main aim of the series was to promote a race series that was friendly, competitive and affordable, with the drivers controlling rule changes at the AGM.

The series commenced in 1990/1991 with two classes, Class A for twin carb engined and Class B for single carb engined cars. The Veloce class, which was for fully modified cars that conformed to the 1991 MSNZ Handbook, scheduled T&C was added for the 1991/1992 season. These classes ran until the end of 1995.

In 1995/1996 the Ti class was introduced. Now all Suds and Sprints were catered for. Ti class for standard cars, Trofeo class for partly modified and Veloce class for fully modified cars.

Up to the 1997 season, races averaged between six and 14 cars which shared grids with cars of all shapes, sizes and makes with grids being formed on practice times.

In 1998, after some persistent advocacy from Arthur Vowles, Nords (105 series GTV) were invited to race in the series but, on a no point basis. The hill climb and grass gymkhana had been dropped with the series contested only on race circuits. For the 1999/2000 season the Milano class was introduced for semi modified 105 series cars.

Some rule changes were made to some classes to comply with MSNZ safety regulations. A new trophy, donated by the widow of the late Bart Von Geldern, to be called Bart Von Geldern Memorial Trophy and awarded annually, was introduced for the most dedicated supporter.

2000/2001 saw the Trofeo Series now come under the official banner of Alfa Romeo Owners Club NZ (Inc). The GTA class was introduced to replace the Milano class. This new class was an open class and was for any type of fully modified Alfa provided it was built from Alfa parts. Further safety rules were introduced with all classes having to fit a full seat race harness and display three stripes on the rear window if the driver was a novice or the car had no roll protection. Ti class now permitted any Alfa to race but have a 0-1600cc and over 1601 class. The Trofeo class now permitted standard 1712cc engines to be used.

Few changes were made between 2001/2002 but the series had become very popular and it was not uncommon to see grids of 30 or more Alfas. Promoters had now given the series their own races at all meetings. Racing was very competitive and the GTA class became the most popular with cars from this class being the quickest saloon cars at most classic race meetings. The series participated at 10 race meetings per season.

In 2002/2003 there were minor changes to the Trofeo Class rules to allow 33's, 145 & 146 model Alfa's to be raced, fuel injection was permitted providing it was factory fitted and in 2003/2004 changes to the Veloce Class rules allowed V6 engines up to 3200cc.

A new trophy was presented to the Series in 2006 by Tina Glennie & Ray Shanks (Team Turtle), this award being introduced to celebrate the members who by their personality make the Series a special place to enjoy your motor racing hobby.

Early 2009 Jason Butterfield, a long time Series supporter raised the idea of a new class, this class would allow for modifications on the same lines as GTA but with the requirement for maintaining a standard engine. This idea was quickly embraced as being faithful to the Series' aims, in particular keeping a cap on motor development costs. Support quickly grew, and after driver workshops the inaugural rules were introduced to the 2009 AGM for the new GT Junior class. While the class is still currently in a building phase cars are being bought and built to compete in this class in the coming seasons.

Over the initial 2 seasons to date, the performance of cars in this class completes the Trofeo grid with speeds bracketing the bottom part of GTA and top half of Veloce classes. Coupled with the introduction of GT Junior was the decision to retire the TI class, maintaining 4 Trofeo Series classes. This decision was not taken lightly, numbers in the TI class had fallen over the previous 3 years.

With the spread of race speeds between front running GTA cars and the standard TI cars ever increasing it was agreed, after significant debate, that the Series would endorse full roll caging and the change from road tyres thereby establishing Trofeo Class as the entry, or most standard, class. This has seen immediate growth and the introduction of new cars to the Series has created a very competitive and hard campaigned class.

In November 2009 the Trofeo Series attended its first meeting at the new Hampton Downs track, the 3rd event, and 2nd race meeting to be held on the track. The track has quickly become a favourite circuit providing a very different racing experience than existing North Island tracks.

2010 saw celebration of 100 years of Alfa (the Romeo part is a little younger) and also 20 years of the Trofeo Series. Both events were celebrated and past and present drivers gathered to share stories of great racing and camaraderie.

All the rule changes over the years have followed the development of the Alfas so the series in now in the position where most types of Alfas can be raced provided they comply with class rules.

The Series advocates strongly for the inclusion of all Alfas in Thoroughbred & Classic Racing, regardless of age in order to promote the racing pedigree of the marque.

Of the original Trofeo Series founders, Brian Todd & Mark Rantin serve on the committee, David Newsham is currently rebuilding his car after running Jim Newsham's Sprint in the 2009/2010 season. Andy Drummond is now running a Formula Boxer Europa, Bart has sadly passed away.

Trofeo Series members past and present have contributed to Motorsport within and beyond the Series. Some of the contributors are mentioned below, many hundreds of hours have been contributed to our shared passion by these and other members and supporters of the Series. The contribution of all has been an important aspect of the Trofeo culture. Current members are indebted to the efforts of those who have given over the first 20 years of the Series.

Committee Members
Andy Drummond
Bart von Geldern
John Rhodes
Murray Johnston
Richard Beresford
Tony Lagor
Ted Hunkin
Eddie Beresford
Mark Ash
Ben Thomson
David Frith
Chris Browne
Mark Rantin
Max Van Maanen
Wendy Metcalfe

Bart Von Geldern Memorial Trophy recipients
Margaret Kelly
Joan & Graeme Hilder
Anthony Gray
Alison Dijkmans
Dot Louie
Wendy Metcalfe
Peter Cousins
Tony Morgan & Sharyn Martin
Bill Ritchie
Murray Johnston
Bruce Belcher

The Team Turtle Trofeo Trophy
Tony Olissoff
John Rhodes
Ted Hunkin
Max Van Maanen
Peter Domett

Series, Class & Handicap Competition Winners are recorded elsewhere. In the end winning is not the purpose for most of its members (although winning one of the Trophies is certainly an achievement and a huge buzz occurs when the prize is achieved).

The Trofeo Series is predominately about having fun, with like minded people passionate about racing in cars with a certain something special. Year by year the drivers debate and evaluate the rules to ensure the Series continues to evolve meeting the challenges of keeping a marque based series relevant and viable.